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This week I'm going on a style journey with British born
International visual artist Sophie T Sophie's work is
defined by her vibrant use of colour, energetic drips and
signature splats. Her work champions inclusivity,
self acceptance, accessibility and strives to make women feel
just a little bit nicer about themselves.
Yes to that. Hello and welcome, Sophie.
Hello. How are you?
Oh. Great.
It's lovely to meet you and have you here.
All very colorful. Oh, it has to be I I really
thought about my outfit today. I was like, God, I'm meeting the
Queen. I I need to like pull everything
together. How did you decide what to wear
today? Well, I I had to do pink, some
bit of pink. I mean, you maybe can't see, I
think. It's really your signature
color. It is.
And I think, I think the reason for that is just because, I mean
it's girly, but like being a woman is powerful.
And also I know that Pink really was trending for a bit and just
like cowboy boots, I think I'll, I'll continue to follow it when
it goes in and out of trend. So yeah, and then what else have
I got? I've got this Jean Paul Gauthier
vintage piece. And this, where did you pick
that up from? That was from on Brick Lane.
Brilliant. What else have I got on?
I bought this belt last week in a vintage shop in New York.
Yeah, cowboy boots. And the boots are from.
They're from Austin, TX. And was it just the most
incredible? Oh my God, you have no idea.
Like this shot is called Allen's and I reckon there was about, I
don't know, 10,000 cowboy boots in there and they were all
completely different. It was like the most amazing
treasure chest. I like you have to go.
It was just quotation. Salt on the sensors.
Oh my God, I I I had like no space.
I'd already got charged for extra baggage.
Honestly, when I got on the plane and I just like, I bought
3 pairs and I was like, I just don't know how I'm going to get
these home, but like, I don't care.
Like I have to have them. Were there any vintage ones
there? I mean, they all look vintage
and they're really good quality as well.
Like, I pretty much wear these every day.
That's what I love about cowboy boots, and some of my favorite
ones are about probably older than you are.
That's nice. Yeah, that's nice.
Yeah. They just last forever, don't
they? They're great and I love the
fact you get a little bit of height but not too much.
That's exactly I could wear them for 24.
Hours. Proper.
Yeah, I have trainers that hurt
me more than my cowboy boots. Yeah, that's bad.
Now you're just fresh off the back of your send nude live.
I am at the London Palladium. What the actual hell like I
mean? Tell me about that.
What was the inspiration? OK, so for those of you, I guess
that don't know, I paint naked women and I've been doing, I've
been an artist. Literally.
Yeah, well, actually on them physically, yeah, but also on
canvas. And I've been an artist for 10
years, but I've I've really found my love in the last five
and that's when I found nude women really and painting them.
Typically we do kind of a catwalk show so we invite people
to apply to become nudies and these are sensational women, all
different shapes and sizes and stories and backgrounds.
And this time we had 10,000 women apply apply to walk naked
at the Palladium, which is wild. There was 2500 people there, and
it was the ultimate celebration of women like the beauty and the
power of women like. How do you go through the
casting process or the selection process?
Well, honestly, we weren't expecting that many were we
like, I mean the time before because we've we've done five of
these shows now. The Palladium was definitely
that. The Crescendo, Yeah, it's
absolutely massive. And it was different as well
because typically we just do a catwalk and then I come on the
end with a mic and like, hi, bye, thank you for coming.
But this time it was more, it's a stage production.
So I mean, there was a live painting element from me.
There was a choir. There was a live model.
We did like interviews. I said a bit about my story
because to be honest, I never had the best relationship with
my body growing up, which is why I'm so excited to be on this
because clothes were such a power for me, like and how I use
them to gain confidence when I didn't have the best, you know,
inner self belief. So.
So you go through this selection process 10,000.
On this it. Went down to how many?
150? Fifty.
Well. Yeah, I mean initially it was
25, wasn't it? But like we were saying like I
just, I at the end of it, the girls were like get off the
application. So I was like, yes, yes.
And the girls were like your piles like this.
Just As for context, you print out that many applications it
goes to here, yeah? And so they've sent pictures in
of themselves, nude pictures in of themselves.
They had written their story and provided their Instagram handle,
so that's how we stalked them. But yeah, it was more based on
story and background and. Giving that woman the
opportunity to be out there stark naked, painted by you.
Yeah. And as a life transforming
moment. It's kind of become a a bit of a
thing, yeah. Like, I mean, I really am proud
of the work that we do to like put these women on this platform
to allow them to tell their personal story.
Like, it's very much kind of not about me.
The day it's about that. I noticed, and you know, reading
about it, it's just telling these incredibly powerful
stories. Well, they're intimate stories
as well. And people and women are just so
strong and they've been through so much.
And I don't, I don't know, as a as a young girl, like I wanted
to see myself. I've like got a flat chest.
I mean I've got like a million bras on right now.
So like, and I still haven't interested you about it, but I I
think that if I was able to see someone that looks like me in
the media, like that would have absolutely changed the way I
felt about myself, which was like not very nice.
And I think that it's just so important for me to like, allow
these women that look so different to like, have this
place where they can, you know, share who they are and then they
can help other people on their journey.
Yeah, I I mean absolutely to be applauded, but can I just loop
back on, you know, you talking about you not feeling very
comfortable in your own skin, where, where did that come from?
I think, I think it came from, I mean I guess like not the
opposite sex, not being interested in you and then at
what age I think I was most uncomfortable.
Age 14/15/16. Do you think you were looking at
a lot of images of other young women?
Yeah, I mean in the media you see this perfect body type,
right? And I just wasn't relating to it
and I think I wanted to see bodies like my friends or like
my mom's or like mine and I just wasn't seeing it.
So yeah, I think it's just the the, you know, the magazines and
it's changed so much now, which I absolutely love.
Like and I think young people nowadays have somewhat of a
harder time growing up because the social media, but on the
same, but you know by the same standard, like there's actually
so many beautiful accounts that you can follow that can really
help you with your own journey. So yeah.
And I I love the fact that it's changing and to be part of that
movement, like it's important to me.
What was the catalyst, would you say, of you coming to terms with
your body and loving it? Honestly, I I don't think I've
arrived. I think it's something that you
need reminding of. I go through periods when I see
a nudie and they're expressing how much they love themselves.
It allows me to like feel the same but.
Because what they may not be the what is perceived to be the
perfect body or. Well, I I guess that it's like I
see an inner confidence in people and there's always going
to be some someone prettier, someone more successful, someone
more someone that has more money.
But it's like it's when you see people being completely
authentic and loving themselves and accepting themselves for
literally who they are, what's and all like those reminders.
It doesn't matter if they don't actually look like you.
That helps you with your own confidence.
I guess the point where I I mean it's it's hearing from other
women and it and this is what I'm actually most proud of this
like community that you know we're we're I've built, which
are the Nudies. It's like, you know, WhatsApp
chats with them, but we've had, like we've had six generations
of nudies now and they're all chatting all the time and seeing
them making friends and still discussing how they feel and
seeing them go through the stages of life.
Like, I mean, one of the women that walked naked on the stage
for me a month ago has just had her baby that's now in the chat.
You know, her body's going to change.
She's going to go on a journey. But yet this is sisterhood of
all these girls together being like, you know, go here.
And I just love creating spaces like that.
Yeah, I I think it sounds really, really commendable
because we're all on journeys with our bodies. 100% and it
changes every day. Like it, let's be honest,
there's no like moment that you're like, yeah, I love myself
now because the next day, you know even coming in the lift up
then I was like Oh my God, the light of the lift.
Sophie, this is what you're all about Like, come on, like, you
know and we need those. We need those reminders and.
So is the new D thing going to explode even bigger?
I mean, you know, is there going to be a Wembley Stadium moment?
I. Mean.
I hope so. I've got a taste for it now.
Honestly, I before I went on the stage, I could not believe how
I've never experienced nerves like that before.
I've never actually spoken in public before, weirdly.
And then I've just signed up for this which everyone was like,
what you doing? So but that's fine.
But honestly, I went into a state of shock.
Like I went really cold. Yeah, that's proper shock.
And I couldn't like I remember Alex came in she's like they
they all my team had got me send news cake and I was getting my
hair curled and I remember the more coming and I was like this
thank you. I just couldn't move and I and I
had to be on stage in like 10 minutes like.
So take me to that, to behind the scenes you're you're
physically painting with your team.
So this time, in fact, that was the plan.
But I didn't actually paint any of the women this time because
we were. It was such a busy day in the
end and I was just in rehearsals the whole time.
And were you directing your? Team Yes.
So what we do is we give, we assign each nudie a colour based
on their story. Obviously colours very important
and colour. Yeah.
And also actually on the day we were very open cause some of the
girls, I mean one of the girls, Naomi has a Caribbean heritage
and she was like I just want yellow and green and black and
we were like no worries like you know you you know they were just
played with it because she wanted the Jamaica.
Yeah. Oh, that fantastic.
So yeah, honestly. And you just went with it.
And how many people were actually painting?
How many of your team were? So we had about 12 people
painting and they were past nudies as well.
And we always make sure that happens because you know,
they're going through, you know, very intimate vulnerable place
and it's nice that someone else that's had that experience
before can come back in. We had a mental health officer
on the day to make sure that everyone felt fine, like it's
such honestly, it's just such a movement we've created and I'm
just so hungry to just do it more because it's.
I can see the impact this has happened.
It when I was doing my research, it just looks like such a
celebration of womanhood, femininity, color.
Yeah, just it's a it's a proper celebration.
Yeah. Visual celebration.
Quick question. Yes, intimate.
Do they wear little G strings? They do.
They They have. Because they were very well.
They were very well covered in the past.
In my first show they didn't. But actually we had and some of
them I think didn't want to on the day because honestly, when
they have the paint on, like they they just like, they feel
dressed. Yeah, it's like a switch as well
because they're all in it together and they just can't
wait to get their cut off. Like we gave them like little
slips and it all had their names embroidered in London Palladium
on the back. That was just like, can we take
this off? And I'm like, no, because it's
the dress rehearsal or the Palladium are going to kill me.
Just keep it open now. But but yeah, I think actually,
legally with the Westminster Council, we weren't allowed.
We weren't allowed. For them not to have.
Yeah, but I mean, I've done show.
I mean, my first show was in Shoreditch.
We rented. I mentioned this in my speech,
but we rented like a a place that had a capacity of 50 and I
think we rammed like 300 people into this place.
And it, like safety, must have loved you for.
That, and you know what? We didn't even use like, actual
body paint. Like now where like everything
is so well thought. I just was like, yeah, there's
acrylic paint or work. Oh my God.
Honestly, that was. I still have nightmares of those
girls. They were just sending me on
their WhatsApp group, them peeling and stripping all their
hair off them in the bath that night.
That was like, five years ago. Anyway, we wouldn't do that
anymore. But.
No, no more. Suits, yeah.
It's been a wild journey, but. Yeah, where to next?
So I want to do AUS tour and. For the nudies.
Yeah.
And why US? And like talking businessly now
like 30% of our sales goes to the US and I've never really
popped up there or optimized that market.
It's a bigger market and also there's just more people.
And I think also I love the US culture.
Like, I love the fact that they are very accepting of crazy
ideas and I think it'll be well received there.
Yeah, any. Particular cities that really
appeal. We're doing 6 cities.
Wow. Miami, Basil will finish on in
December. Oh, fantastic.
Yeah, I think so. It's a vibe, isn't it?
Yeah. And I'd never really get into
Basil, 'cause like, I mean, we probably won't go into, like my
art career that much, but like, I'm like super independent.
We've done everything on Instagram, like we're not
representing our galleries to say.
I really salute you for. OK, cool, because it just it's
about making art more democratic.
And I love. That I couldn't agree more.
I. Love the fact that actually you
can buy your art on installments.
I mean great. Isn't that a genius idea?
I love it that six years ago, and honestly it's still 90% of
our sales are installments like because it's normal normal
people like our client base. It's 25 to 55 year old women
that just have normal jobs that actually just want to invest in
artwork, but they've otherwise been deterred from doing so
because they've gone into a gallery and they had a bad
experience because someone looked them up and down.
You know what I mean? Like.
Now then, tell me as an artist, you expect your art to become
more and more valuable. Yes, but then that slightly goes
against the sort of democracy. Yeah, 100%.
So where do you how do you deal with that?
I know this sounds like really big headed, but I just think I'm
going to like rewrite the rule book for it.
Like basically I I have that conflict all the time.
Like, obviously to make something more valuable, you
need to like stop the market. I now believe artists have the
power because there's different ways to market.
So for example, One Ave. is like I'm doing a stage show that's in
a way that we can still be accessible, reach mass, but keep
the artwork more precious. So there's a split between
prints and originals. Our prints, they're still
expensive. They're still limited edition,
but we do have lots of drops. So they're less of an investment
purchase and that's this is the thing that all artists do and
then you know, you starve the original market, which we've
begun to do. I think I'm super conscious of
like and also I have a chip on my shoulder about like not being
accepted to the art world. But also, I believe that artists
now have the power, but to some degree I still need that high
end prestigious stamp. Because if we're honest, like
I'm just an artist operating on Instagram, I do have my own
gallery on Carnaby St. and that was an important part of that
like kind of premium portfolio. For me to be able to get that
stamp of approval to be like, Oh no, I've got one for my own.
But like I still need the high end art world.
And the way we're going about that is I'm creating
relationships with more progressive businesses in the
art world. For example, there's an auction
house that we work with called Tate Ward and they can sign
artwork directly from me. So typically a way that an
artist would you know get an auction, get a be successful is
if they have a good secondary market.
So a secondary market is if I sell to Alex and Alex sells to
her mate, the Alex selling to her mate would be that secondary
sale. And you would know this.
But like, I don't know, maybe I'm over explaining it, but that
is how you'd you'd know that it's like kind of an investment
grade artist to cause. Of the desirability.
Of the secondary market, yeah. Now obviously I have and you
know, not afraid of to admit it flooded that primary market
because I'm direct to consumer, I've allowed people to access
the artwork in installments. I wouldn't have been able to
have that secondary sale because all of those secondary sales
happen at an auction house. Now how would I get to sell
anything through an auction house?
Because they typically only can sign work with galleries or like
buy galleries or private collectors who you know have
relationships with galleries. So Long story short kind of
boring way these this amazing company have allowed me to just
like consign the artwork directly but then also do
something interesting with the sale.
For example, I locked myself in a box for 24 hours and live
streamed the entire thing, did a painting and then at the end of
it was the start of the auction and then we saw it that way.
Or I auctioned off a blank canvas and it sold for £12,000
and then it was a Commission. So we're doing these like
noteworthy, like stunty things. Getting the, the like stamp of
approval from like the high end art world, but I'm also giving
them what they want, which is access to customers because I
know that I have that. So yeah.
And I think that will keep changing.
And I could talk about this all day, all night.
I'm fascinated by. Yeah, I'm fascinated by how that
all works because I think at my core, I do want to democratize
the industry because I believe it should be for everyone.
Yeah, Yeah. How we go about?
Good for you because you're really just owning your space,
which is is fantastic and it's really inspirational to see and
I'm sure that you have inspired a whole generation of young
artists. So chapeau now today we're going
on a style journey together. So how did you decide what you
were going to wear here today? I really wanted to do a
combination of new and old, and I don't know.
I don't know whether I did it right.
I think I think I'll just love finding things.
I love the. So you enjoy the whole vintage?
I love, yeah, I enjoy vintage. I enjoy shopping.
I would actually go as far as saying it's one of my only
hobbies. And I know that's so sad to
admit, but like, I'm just like, so all I do is work and all I do
is think about my artwork and then like, I don't really enjoy
anything else. I really like the the retail
therapy is is exactly that like and.
But is it always vintage retail therapy?
No, actually, I do like to go. I do like to have a splurge
every now and then, but I always make sure it's like to to
celebrate a milestone. Yeah.
I'm a big believer in Milestone. Yeah, treats exactly.
And so you found that this fantastic vintage Gautier.
Isn't it amazing? It's a.
Fan I love his mesh work. I know.
It's so cool. So you found that?
Found that in Brick Lane in a shop called Atta Girl, which is
fab. And then you've teamed it with.
You've teamed it with a belt that I saw in a vintage shop
last week in New York. This is just a House of CB High
Street silk skirt and then obviously my cowboy, my love.
Turquoise cowboy embroidered and rhinestoned cowboy boots.
Very cool. I just love the stories that go
with everything. I'm just such a storyteller,
like. And also if someone compliments
me on an outfit, I'm like, Oh my God, like it was a bargain.
Or like, Oh my God, I found it in this place.
You know what I mean? Like I love.
And do you enjoy the whole process of putting your looks
together? Definitely.
But I definitely have two sides of me.
Like I have the side that's like glam when I come to stuff like
this, but then I also have the art side, which I need
simplicity. So it's like completely
unbranded. It's always white.
I was going to say, what are you painting in?
Always white, oversized, you know.
Yeah, exactly. And they and you know, most
recently in the last two years, I paint with oil now.
So I mean, it used to be fun because acrylic, it's like very
poppy color and you'd get it on you and it dry and it's staying
at certain place you can put it through the wash oil continues
to spread so it just becomes a brown and messy disgusting.
So my art clothes used to be cooler and I used to transition
them like tonight. I was going to say, Did you
ever? Yes, I definitely did.
And I still have some great pieces that you know, from my
early days. You know, I used.
I remember this little white dress and I actually wore it to
the show because it just looks so cute with those swatches of
acrylic paint on it and the splats not an option now with
oil. It's like filthy.
Like it's gets and everything and have you.
Ever had any sort of horrible moments with Paint on you?
I mean, I've had so many moments, the classic, literally
slapstick comedy moments where I'm like, looking at the paint
and squeezing it and I'm like, why isn't it coming out?
And it just pops and it's like blue oil paint in my eye.
Like now I'm like, where's the eye wash?
And we're like, got this first aid kit in my massive studio
sitting and like, running across this way.
Yeah, so many things. I mean, it's all in my mouth.
It's all in my yeah, actually someone did a TikTok of me once.
Being like Sophie is is promoting unsafe art practice,
which I had to apologize for, but.
But going back to your childhood, were you very aware
of your mother's style growing up?
Oh. My God, definitely like my mom
in the playground. I was so proud that she was my
mom. She always looks so put together
and so beautiful. That is so lovely to hear
because so often guests say, Oh my God, the school gate was just
the worst thing in my. Life.
No. No.
Yeah. I watched your Sophie Habu.
Yeah. And I yeah, I I heard her say
about it because she had her mom's flares or something.
Oh my God. I'm the opposite.
Like, honestly, I just used to. I used to be like that's.
My And what was it about your mom's style?
I think she was just, do you know what I think she did?
She always had one piece that was the talking point and we
moved as a kid from from Birmingham to Manchester.
So I was in a new school and she was obviously in a new place
that she had no friends. And I've always this is
something I've maybe taken from her, used an outfit or use an
accessory as a way to make a friend because if people like
notice it come up to you and compliment you, that's your end.
That's your warm lead like. And I think that she always like
whether it was a piece. I mean, it was never expensive
like, but it was like something that she found in a charity shop
that was unusual or you know, the was.
There a specific outfit that you remember thinking, Oh my God, my
mum is just the coolest woman on the planet.
She always had. She's got a great bum.
My mum, like she always had, just had.
She always knew how to look good in a good pair of jeans, like,
and then she'd pair that with the United Top.
But like, yeah, I don't know. She just had a fab, fab big bum.
I was, I was looking through, oh, I was doing some preparation
for this last night and I was like, oh, what's the time?
And I remember I went to my friend's 30th party.
This friend is called Natalie Emmanuel and she is super
amazing. And she was on Game of Thrones
and I was invited and I was like, Oh my God, I'm going to
know no one there. But like, I love this girl and I
want to go. And I remember I wore like a
jacket and I've still got it. Now it's made out of synthetic
hair, coloured hair. And it all, it's like fringing,
but with hair. It is actually stunning.
And I actually don't know whether it's real hair.
Actually, I don't know. You should say that.
But I don't know what what hair is, but it's beautiful.
And I remember that night, 10 friends all different.
It was like ombre, like different rainbow.
It goes like there was a strong Aqua then into like light Blues,
then light pinks and lilacs and dashes of orange.
It was fantastic, like a big rainbow number.
And honestly I still got mates. One of them ended up being a
nudie poppy. Yeah, honestly, I've still got
friends from that night and I distinctly remember the outcome
and do. You feel that that sort of gave
you a confidence to walk into a room where you didn't know
anyone and did anyone come up to you because of what you were
wearing and and sort of introduce themselves?
Definitely, definitely. And I still use that as a tool
now 100%. And and yes, talking tools.
How do you decide what to wear on in your nudie shows?
Because I noticed the last one you were full on pink sequins
feathers. Well, what do I decide to wear?
I mean, I am always looking online for stuff like it's it's
my hobby. Like I just, I love looking at
clothes. And actually this time I worked
with a costume designer, Zoe, and she actually, a year
previous I released a big coffee table book called Send Nudes.
And for the launch of that I well, she made me a dress, I
guess made out of the pages of the book.
So it was honestly the most stunning thing.
Who was it inspired by? It was inspired by like a
designer, I'm not sure, but like it was like all the pages were
cut out like with a scalloped edge and it was like layers and
fringing and it had like a high neck which came out like this
and it was tight and it was all made out of paper.
Beautiful and I just. Love that clothes can tell
stories and they're pieces of art.
And honestly, one of my dreams one day is like all my pieces
from like the shows will go in like the VNA of like an
exhibition. Well, I was going to ask you,
you you have such a passion for color and movement in your brush
strokes to me that that would actually translate really
beautifully into print. Yes.
And you know, as in fabric print, have you ever, have you
ever collaborated with a designer on on your painting?
Do you know what? I haven't yet, but it's
definitely something that's like on my wish list.
But I'm a big believer as well and like waiting for the right
project and also the right time in your career to do so.
Like I'm very much in a profile, Building said.
And I'm not massive yet, and I really want to be the biggest
artist in the world and I want to collaborate with those high
end designers because I aspire to have businesses similar to
them and I love the design work and the intricacy of the you
know of. The making process Who would be
your dream designer to collaborate with?
I love Richard Quinn. Yeah, brilliant.
And I love Christian Cowen. I actually have a a piece that I
wore. I had a show at the Waldorf like
three years ago and I had this massive and it was a
collaboration with him and Annie and do you know the shop
Annie's? So I'm kind of issued, it's
actually 2 doors down from mine, which is absolutely lethal.
Like like it's so bad. Like I need to stop spending in
there. Had a good day in the gallery
straight. Down to it initially they they
got my number as well. They're like, so me come in.
I'm like Oh yeah OK. But I wore this massive dress.
It was a Christian Cowen I believe Times Annie Collab and
it had a huge bow on it. Pink bow.
Now I'm actually, I know I say this thing about vintage and
stuff, but I'm quite hard when I wear things like I'm like, I'm
always like quite moving around quite a lot.
So I actually tend to damage damage things a lot, which I'm
not proud of myself for. And I'm also a messy person, so
it always ends up on the floor anyway.
So this this dress got damaged, but Zoe saves the bow and
stitched it on the back of a jumpsuit that I wore at the this
current show when I was like painting.
So I love the stories and the blending of them and the
repurposing outfits for different things.
So. I mean, you're so much in the
public eye, you know, every second day you're on social
media, posting and all the rest of it.
Do you ever feel the the pressure to keep wearing new
things, different things? Pressure.
No. Is it Joy?
Joy. Honestly.
Joy. Like finding things, re wearing
things. I know that I had this one pair
of silver cowboy boots from Boohoo that I honestly think I
wore to every event for five years.
And my mother was like, will you take them boots off?
Like so yeah, no, no, no real pressure.
Just like a nice yeah. It's like an outlet for me, to
be honest, like. For you, what's the sexiest
look? Well, I think it's for me.
I kind of know how to dress for my figure now.
Like, I think I've got my mom's nice bum.
I do have a nice bum. So I like wearing something
that's like tight over the bum and like a long skirt and a
tight top. Like that's like it kind of
looks a bit effortless. But like, I know that it like
plays in my finger. Like I remember this one dress I
thought was sexy at the time. Like I bought this pack, a
riband piece for a show of mine in Sydney.
And you know, those ones that the the discs.
The discs. Oh my God.
I mean, I don't want to slate them, but they just fall apart.
Is it still in a good enough condition to at least frame?
I know what you mean because. That piece is valuable, Sophie.
I know, Unfortunately it is not because on the night my my bum
poked through it and ripped the inside thing.
I was actually looking at the Dropbox folder last night, so I
was like oh, what outfits have I had that convention on the
podcast I saw This piece of my ass is completely out.
So no, it's not. But I want to use them in
artworks. This is.
I mean, I'm going off here, but I really want to move my nude
women into textiles now, like tapestries.
I just literally went to a shop. You would literally take them.
Well, I'll let you. I honestly don't know yet, but
like I just went to a fabric shop and like in Miami, it's
called Mood Fabrics and I thought I'd like discovered the
next big thing and apparently it's not.
I haven't discovered it. It's online by the way.
It was insane like and I so I bought loads of pieces and my
idea is and I know Tracy Emmon did this in her early work.
She like went into tapestries. She actually made a tent and I
think it was like it would think it was called everyone that I've
ever slept with or something. I just love that piece and I
love her. So I'm kind of like trying to
emulate some of her confessional work slightly but I I don't know
I think I'll use maybe I'll get my photo references from my
nudies because they always sending me news which is great.
So I never have shortage of that and just that use like maybe
pick up areas like the the highlights and low lights and
like structure the fabric and like use a sewing machine and
embellish it with beads and sequins and ostrich feathers.
I'd know like I'm excited. I'm excited.
And also I've got this new place, this new studio and it's
like a live work which I've told you about before and I'm tiny
bit concerned about the fumes of my oil paint because I'll sleep
at because I'm sleeping there as well.
And I was like life is literally about maneuvering what you're
doing based on your circumstances.
So like because of that, why don't I just go into textiles?
Because it's not toxic. I could just use this
opportunity to just play in that, you know, with that type
of stuff. So I I don't know how it's going
to work out, but I'll let you know.
Oh, I can't wait to hear because to me, I I look at some of your
paintings and think actually that would make a fantastic rug.
100% And when I got into tufting, you know, how do you
know tufting when they make up? So I made one in Sydney and we
had a big archive sale and it actually sold, but it wasn't
even finished off. And I still like, Oh my God,
it's going to fall apart on his wall.
But that's fine because I know the guy, but it's like, it's so
time consuming, like Oh my God. And I'm like very much a person
that like, has a crack and then I'll get bored and then I'll go
into something else, so. Is that why you use, you know,
you have a team of people in your studio and you're directing
them too, I would imagine? I don't know how deep you want
to get into business, but I've I had quite a big team helping me
like prep the canvases and I don't know, I think we all go
through like. Did you feel you lost touch?
With us, Yeah, I did, yeah. And also I had, I mean at my
height, which is like about a year ago, I had 15 employees.
Now what that means is that you have to create to pay bills.
And actually I think I hit honestly a bit of, you know, I
think I became slightly more mature and responsible and just
thought, so if like is this what you want or is this just your
ego talking like you just want a big team, you want to be a big
artist like. And actually I think it was,
yeah, it was a bit of a period of self loss to be honest,
because I had to like strip back what I thought that being
successful was. And I think now I'm at more of a
place. I'm just like, you know what?
Like, make for the love of making, Yeah.
So when you're not in front of the camera, which is rarely I
know, but what's stay at home, Sophie.
What's she wearing? Stay at home Sophie.
Is, I mean disgusting. Not showering for like 2 days.
Not washing my hair for a week, Alex.
That's too much information. What are you wearing or not?
Or you're nudie at home. OK, I'm not nudie at home.
No, I am. I've got like really spiky legs,
so I like, like I give myself eczema if I have my legs
together. So I'm always like very bugged
up. I'm a cold person and like
always, got lots of layers on. So, favorite layers.
I honestly, I should not be on this amazing podcast if we are
talking about the Sophia home because she is not a style icon
at all. Like she is a gremlin.
No, no, she, yeah. I mean, it's very much, yeah,
I'm just in scruffs. I'm in scruffs.
I live in scruffs. If it's in the studio all white
though, it has to be. Until it's not.
Until it's not until it's got paint all over it.
Now you have been spending a lot of time in Australia, so what's
what's Sydney Sophie like? Sydney Sophie is wholesome.
I'm pretty wholesome though here though.
But but is your style different in Sydney?
I have to say, when I first moved there, I was like, why is
everyone in Birkenstocks and flowy dresses and I just became
that person. I'm like a sponge.
I yeah, I mean when. And then when I met, I mean,
last year I was living in Sydney for 4 1/2 years.
And last year alone I did eight flights back here, which is so
hectic, which is part of the reason why I'm now here, because
work's really here. But no, I I definitely mold it.
It's just so bloody hot there, like you can't wear anything
else but. When do you think you really
discovered who you were stylistically?
I honestly think I'm still on a journey.
I think I I don't like this about myself, but I do think I'm
influenced quite a lot by my surroundings.
Why don't you like that about yourself?
I think it's like, I think it's an immaturity thing somewhat,
and I think hopefully I'll grow out of it.
But it's like maybe not feeling good enough or just always
wanting to fit in, I guess. And I think I've got that chip
on my shoulder about the art world as well.
Like, I always just, like, want to just, like, pee, You know,
Part of the group, I guess. But don't you think that's
partly because you're a very visual person, so that you you
want to fit into the bigger picture?
Yes, I think so. But you know what?
The learning that I always have when I I mean everyone goes
through these like periods of their life where they like, lose
themselves and they find themselves again.
But then the person that they found is actually different
because they're five years older and they're they are a different
person. Like, I think that the lesson
that I always keep learning is like your individuality is the
thing that actually is your magic and sets you apart.
So I actually, when I find myself again, you know, this
clean girl aesthetic that's like very trendy at the moment.
I hope that it's going out because I'm just not that girl.
But, you know, you see in the shops in the influence by it
and. Yeah.
And then you see people on social media, like, you know,
doing well with that. Yeah.
I mean, I'm not even going to lie and say that I'm like fully,
like know who I am and know what my style is.
I think it's constantly just evolving and that's honestly OK,
it's. Great.
And we evolve as human beings, OK, Yeah.
And you know, we shouldn't be wearing what we were wearing 20
years ago, 100. Percent, yeah.
If someone was to describe your style in three words, how would
you want them to describe you? Or what would you want those 3
words to be? Eclectic.
Risky herself. Oh, love that.
I just made that one up. I'm really impressed with that.
Thank you. I really do.
You spend much time doing your makeup.
No, I did it in the car on the way here.
Like, I hate doing my makeup. I'm just like, I remember.
I think I was like, how long have we got?
And the guy goes, 35 minutes. I'm like, oh, I'm good for
another 15. Like, I yeah, I just, I think
I've just done the same thing. I think mind, which is bizarre
because I I do, I'm so good at painting, but somehow it just
doesn't translate to makeup. But do you think you sort of, by
the time you finish painting, you really don't want to start
painting this? Oh my God, absolutely.
I mean, I will go if I'm in AI, do things in projects.
So if I'm in my scruff project period where I'm painting, you
won't see a scruff of makeup on me for.
Have you ever painted your body? No, I should do it myself,
shouldn't I? Oh.
Yes. I've had this idea right and the
Met Gala was last night and I saw Tyler with one of my ideas
in my head and no idea is original in your own, so it was
probably stolen from someone anyway.
But she had sand all over her. So I've had this idea that I
want to create like do a project called Skins where it's getting
these women nude but like, I don't know, like drawing like or
sticking like beautiful lace on them or like airbrushing some
like beautiful patterns or like. I mean recently I covered one of
my nudies in that 24 karat gold leaf.
Yes, I saw that. I love that idea of like using
the body as the canvas to. I mean, you know, when I think
of that, I think of Pat McGrath and just.
Yeah. What she does.
I mean, what an artist. Oh my God.
Amazing. Do you think you've got a style
icon? I put down Carrie from Sex and
the City. Yes, I get that.
Yeah. Actually, because you you are.
Eclectic. That's nice.
Thank you. I think that she's like,
adventurous with it and daring, yeah, And she always has that
one statement piece. When you feel like you need to
be, or you want to be empowered by clothing, what would you
reach for? Or are you very much a mood
dresser? I'm.
I'm such a mood dresser. I'm I'm not a planner at all.
Like everyone in my team is just trying to get me to like plan
the next week out and it's just like if you wake up in the like
honestly I think that I am an artist because that's literally
the only thing I could possibly do.
Like I just love. I think there's so much magic
and spontaneity and This is why we're discussing before like
that's a News Live show like we it was pulled together in a
month the same thing. It would have been exactly the
same outcome if I'd have had a year to do that project because
I wouldn't have started it till the month out anyway.
In fact, that is actually what happened.
So I don't know. Yeah, I'm such.
A. So being the spontaneous person
that you are, are you organized within your wardrobe so that you
can be spontaneous? Is your wardrobe.
I aspire. No, it's awful.
I mean, I yeah, that's my like next thing I'd like because I
seem to like always pull. I want like an area that has the
basics in because every outfit that I have always has a basic.
I think I always get to a dressing situation and I'm like,
I have nothing to wear. But it's not true because you
have so much to wear, but you just have so much rowdy stuff to
wear. It needs to be partnered with
something that's more, that's clean.
A basic white tee, you know, with your rowdy skirt.
And I think I need to sort that out.
Yeah, no, I'm not there yet. When you're unsure of what
you're putting on, who do you most trust in terms of opinion?
Oh, probably my partner. He's not like, he's got a really
good eye. Like, he absolutely has not
bought an item of clothing in probably five years.
But like, he, he always picks out good stuff for me.
And they're practical as well. He's got that practical head on
him. So he's like Sophie when you're
going to Chuck something like that.
I've got this beautiful, like, Dion, Dion Lee knit, and it's
not actually rowdy at all. It's quite it's quite chic and
like kind of plain but he but it's so well made and he was
just spotted that it was just something that is going to look
nice, easy to put on good quality and yes, I probably will
and sometimes he's that he's got too much going on so I've take
one thing away. Sounds like the voice of sanity.
Yeah, he is. He's he's my like, yeah.
Let's talk about travel for a moment.
Do you pay particular? I mean, you travel a lot.
Yeah. Do you pay particular attention
to your airport? Airport look.
Absolutely not, no. Are you a good Packer or a bad
Packer? I think my wrote most recent I'm
a spot, an aspiring fantastic Packer.
And the reality is how many cases, Sophie?
Or four. I mean no.
I mean I'm only I only take the one case.
What brand of luggage are you using?
Tesco. I did buy my partner for
Christmas. A Ramoa case though?
No. A tumi.
A tumi, yeah. And if if you could buy any
luggage in the world, what would it be?
I'm just, I love Rimowa. I'd love a Rimowa collab.
Sounding like pink remote. Yeah, pink Rimowa, but I just
trash everything and I'm travelling so I just don't one
of the things about cases and you're not like, so if you have
a nice case it just gets ruined. I yes, I'm sort of when you see
those videos of what happens. And they Chuck them.
Yeah, you don't really want your luggage nicked.
I don't. Yeah, I want it to be a little
bit invisible. Well, I've never even thought of
that. But yeah, I guess I'm doing
that. It's full of, like, designer
clothes, but it's a desk go. It's a desk go bag.
So. So you probably be safe, yeah.
What, if anything, do you feel you've got an excessive amount
of in your wardrobe? Feathers.
Love that guilty secret, most expensive item of clothing
you've ever bought or accessory. Probably my Rolex, which was
stolen. Oh, right.
Yeah. In my studio.
Because I just don't. I know I don't.
Let's not go. Down.
Stolen Rolex route. Not a good one for me either
when buying an expensive piece, have you ever justified it?
Pounds per wear. No.
Yeah, silly and. And shoes?
Shoes. Honestly, how many pairs do you
own? I'm not actually really not big
on shoes. Just cowboy boots.
How many pairs total?
Ten. OK, it's.
Not too bad, is that? No.
Oldest pair of cowboy boots. 10 years be with you.
For another 10 or so I hope. Yeah.
So when it comes to sustainable
fashion, I know you were saying you think you need a big old
clear out. Yes.
What's What is your approach to sustainable fashion?
Going to charity shops in posh areas I in.
Particular ones that's been that have been.
I mean, I don't want to get, I don't want to get you Where's
it? It's in Gloucester Road but it's
the one on the main strip of Gloucester Road and I bought the
most stunning hand embroidered and beaded silk pink top.
And then I had my hair done the other day and I got bleach on
it. I know, but I've decided that
the bleach is in the middle and this is the great thing about
being an artist and having contact.
Embroidery over it. Exactly.
We're on the same, Yeah, Yeah. I'm going to add some different
beads to it. And what what vintage do you
think the top was from? It was, I think it was 80s and
it was a Skarda. Oh, it sounds like 80s a Skarda.
Perfect. Yeah.
Let's spin on some quick fire questions.
What fashion advice would you give your 20 year old self?
Oh, skinny jeans just don't work for you, Sophie.
Don't worry about it. Don't worry about it.
Which fashion trend would you most like to see Maker come
back? I have a thing which this is not
quick for our answer, but I have a thing with trends.
I like things not to be in trend because then, you know,
naturally they go out of trend. When Pink was happening because
of Valentino last year, I was like, can we just stop this?
Because, like, Pink is my brand and it's inevitably going to go
out, so to mention. Barbie.
I know, I know. But I was obsessed with the
press looks of Margot Robbie. Honestly, I just.
Brilliant. Brilliant.
Absolutely. And also the historical
references with them as well. It's all about the story.
And then she just did it so well.
So which fashion or beauty trend would you consign to a room one
O 1? There's a there's a trend right
now. Clean Girl aesthetic.
Your last impulse by. Fabrics.
Lots of them. Your views on tattoos?
My views on tattoos is that I actually have one.
When I was 17 years old, I have a mole on my foot and I had
petals put around it. It is disgusting.
That is the only tattoo I'll ever have.
I was in Falraki and I was drunk.
So my my tattoo story is a solid.
Like, no. Beauty treatment you couldn't
give up. Botox.
Although right now I think we're all looking at a mistake.
High End or High Street? High end.
Bling or bear? Bear.
Minimalism or Maximalism? Maximalism Crocs Cute or puke
Cute. Sneakers or stilettos.
Sneakers. Skinnies or boyfriends or wide
legs. Wide leg, Bodycon or boho boho.
Sports Lux or rock chick? Rock chick.
Red carpet or relax. Red carpet Trend or style?
Style. Color or monochrome?
Color. Experimental or uniform?
Experimental cashmere or cotton? Cashmere?
Hoarder or editor? Both.
Really. Hoarder Shapewear or sexy
lingerie? Oh, neither.
Tights or stockings, Tights, bikini or one piece bikini,
beanie or Berry, Berry. And and finally, at the end of
the day, what do you or don't you wear in bed?
I wear layers on layers on layers in bed.
You're popular. So sexy.
And yeah, go married. Sophie, thank you so much.
Thank you. Fun hour spent together
discussing all things style with you and all things art.
With, you know, man, thank you so much.
You're amazing. Loved it.
Thank you. Loved it.